Chapter 63: Damon Reid vs. Tristan Thomas: An explosive encounter…Tying the knot!
***
“You sure about this son?” Caleb Thomas asked his son in a hoarse voice. Stephanie Thomas rubbed her husband on the back, seeing how emotional he was getting.
“Yes, Dad. I want this.” Tristan answered in a shaky voice, holding tightly onto Damon’s hand whilst talking to his father.
“Okay. Put Damon back on.” Caleb said.
“Caleb?” Damon said tentatively. He was shaking with nerves.
“You know the drill. We already understand each other don’t we?” The older man asked quietly.
“We do. I won’t let you down, Sir.”
“Good. Hold on and talk to Stephanie.”
Tristan’s mother came on the line sounding breathless. “Damon?”
“Hello, Stephanie.”
“Have you already made an appointment at the City Hall?” She jumped right into it.
“I’ve pulled some strings. Everything is done. We do this tomorrow at four p.m. Stephanie.”
Stephanie Thomas laughed softly. “That’s okay then. I’ll be there.”
“Aw come on St…”
“Shhh. Don’t let Tristan know. I want to surprise him. Now quickly say something else to explain why you started protesting. Think fast.”
Damon’s mind was spinning so fast, he was sure his head was physically spinning. “Sure. We use protection all the time.” Damon blurted out.
Whilst Tristan groaned beside Damon, Stephanie laughed on the other side.
“You don’t use any do you?” Stephanie asked, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes.
“No,” Damon replied, laughing.
“See you tomorrow. Now let me talk to my son.”
After talking to Stephanie, they called Lydia who promptly said she was getting on the next flight to Paris. Nothing Damon said would stop her.
“At least you get to do this with your mum beside you,” Tristan said pitifully, rolling onto his stomach on the bed.
Damon felt a feeling of sadness wash over him at Tristan’s words and crestfallen look. He couldn’t stand it. “Stephanie is coming. It was supposed to be a surprise. Now you have to act surprised when you see her.” Damon blurted out.
The thrilled look on Tristan’s face was worth spilling the beans. “At what point did she say that? I was sitting beside you the whole time.”
Damon just shrugged. Tristan’s eyes widened when it dawned on him.
“She didn’t really ask about protection did she?”
“Nope. I was supposed to make something up to cover my blunder or protests or whatever. That’s what came to mind.” Damon laughed.
“You’re a lousy liar. I bet she didn’t believe you.”
“No, she didn’t.” Damon roared with laughter. “But then, your mum has always been smart.”
“I can’t wait for tomorrow.” Tristan squealed in delight. “When is Dean getting here?”
“Tomorrow morning. Why?” Damon asked running his fingers through Tristan’s hair.
“I want him to witness with my mum on my behalf. Then your mum and Cole can witness for you.”
“Perfect.”
“What are we going to be called?” Tristan turned to face Damon.
“Whatever you want love. Tell me what you want.” Damon asked, pulling Tristan to lie on him, Tristan’s chin resting on Damon’s chest.
Tristan turned his head to lay his cheek on Damon’s chest as he thought, enjoying Damon’s fingers running through his hair.
“I want to take your name, Damon. Tristan Thomas Reid. Want to maintain my T.T. What do you think?”
“Thomas Reid it is. Damon Thomas Reid. I love it.” Damon smiled tremulously. He had never been happier in his life.
“I love you,” Tristan whispered.
“Right back at you. Damon whispered.
***
Tristan called it ‘The Friday to Remember’. Indeed it was a day both Damon and Tristan would never forget. Their wedding day. It was a simple, quick, touching, and lovely ceremony. It was an all-white casual affair. Everybody present was dressed casually in white including Damon and Tristan. Damon looked sexy in white linen pants, an un-tucked white long-sleeved button-down shirt with the three top buttons opened, and white loafers. Tristan looked simply delicious in white khaki pants with an un-tucked white shirt and a white blazer, completing the look with classy white six Inch premium boots. They both looked drop-dead gorgeous.
The sheer beauty of their designer wedding bands made the people gathered gasp. The 7.5mm comfort fit band was made of exceptional 950 platinum. The classic eternity style platinum ring had 36 channel set black diamonds encircling its form. The inscription inside both rings simply read: ALWAYS & FOREVER. D.T.R & T.T.R. The ring was bold, tastefully luxurious, and understandably expensive. It was simply stunning.
When Damon and Tristan read the heartfelt vows each had written, there was no dry eye in the marriage chamber of the City Hall. Tristan blushed so hard when the reverend who officiated over the nuptials, finally pronounced them husband and husband and asked them to kiss each other.
“Really? Blushing? One would think you’ve never ever kissed me in front of these people.” Damon chuckled against Tristan’s lips.
“Well, I’ve never kissed you in front of the rever…”
Damon silenced Tristan by sealing their lips together and giving Tristan a spine-tingling kiss, to which everyone gathered cheered. Then everyone was hugging them and wishing them well. There was Lydia, Stephanie, Briana, Cole, Dean, Étienne, and Luke, Damon’s stepdad who had flown in with Lydia Reid. Cole had still witnessed with Lydia on behalf of Damon though.
***
After the ceremony, they all set off to a restaurant for dinner…at least that’s what Tristan thought. Tristan rode alone with Damon in a white limousine with Étienne at the wheel. Throughout the ride, he chose to straddle Damon, with his head on Damon’s shoulders and his arms around Damon’s neck. Damon rubbed Tristan’s back, both enjoying the soothing sounds of classical music playing in the background. The feeling of contentment within both men was obvious.
Eventually, the car stopped and Tristan got off Damon’s lap and looked around, surprise clearly written on his face when he realized they were at a waterfront and not a restaurant as he had thought.
“Where are we?” He asked looking around.
“You’ll see. Come on.” Damon said, stepping out and thanking Étienne who held the door open for them. Reaching for Tristan’s hand, Damon pulled him out.
Tristan gasped when he saw the huge yacht with lights flashing all over it, on the dock. It was majestic, breathtaking, and graceful. There were other yachts, but none as spectacular as the one they were standing in front of. There were lights all over the waterfront, giving the place a Christmassy look.
“Wow, this yacht is magnificent.” Tristan breathed.
After admiring the yacht for a while, Tristan began to wonder why they were there instead of the restaurant. It was getting late and he was sure the others might be hungry. He didn’t think he could eat anything that very moment though. He was too excited to keep anything down. He turned to look at Damon, noticing the presence of the others.
“What are we doing here Damon? They might be hungry.”
“Watch.” Damon pointed to the side of the yacht and suddenly, lights went on, displaying the inscription, “TRISTAN”.
Tristan screamed, his eyes wide with surprise.
Everyone laughed and clapped, clearly amused by Tristan’s reaction. He quickly sobered and turned to look at his husband to see the smile on his face.
“Did you buy that?” Tristan asked wide-eyed. At Damon’s nod, Tristan squeezed his eye shut. “Fuck!” He swore, knowing the yacht must have cost a fortune.
“I did propose to you in water, right after you showed me some really cool skills.” Damon chuckled at Tristan’s raised brow, knowing exactly what he was thinking about. “That too. But get your mind out of the gutter.” Damon whispered and dropped a kiss on Tristan’s temple. “You obviously love being in the water. What better wedding present than this?”
“I love it. And I love you. Thanks.” Tristan went on his toes and devoured Damon’s mouth right there in front of everyone. “Can we go check it out?” He couldn’t suppress his excitement.
“Well…these people might be hungry so we…” Damon’s eyes glinted mischievously.
Tristan didn’t even turn to look at the others. “They don’t look hungry Damon.” He gushed making everyone laugh.